Trust & Safety
Safe, honest mid-term rentals.
Keeping the platform safe is a shared responsibility. Here's how we do our part — and how you can do yours.
How we verify listings
- Every new listing goes through human review before it’s visible to tenants.
- Property photos, pricing, and contact details are checked for obvious red flags.
- Listings that violate our policies are rejected before they go live.
What the platform handles — and what it doesn’t
Furnished Unfurnished is a directory + communication channel + landlord workflow tool. We are not a payment processor or escrow service. Be clear-eyed about who handles what:
- The platform never collects rent. Landlords and tenants arrange rent directly using whatever method they agree on (bank ACH, Zelle, certified check, etc.).
- The platform never holds security deposits. The landlord collects, holds, and returns deposits per local law.
- The platform doesn’t mediate financial disputes. Refunds, chargebacks, and deposit returns are between landlord and tenant.
- The only money the platform handles is the landlord’s monthly listing subscription, paid through Stripe.
How to spot a scam
- Landlords who ask for any payment before you have viewed the unit (in person or live video) and signed a lease.
- Wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency for any reason. These are unrecoverable; legitimate landlords do not request them.
- Prices that are dramatically lower than comparable rentals in the same city.
- Pressure tactics — "pay today or I’ll rent to someone else."
- Refusal to share a verifiable identity, business registration, or property documents before you sign a lease.
- Photos that look like stock images or screenshots from other listing sites.
What to do if something feels off
Use the Report button on any listing, user profile, or message thread. Our team reviews every report within one business day. For urgent matters, email security@furnishedunfurnished.com.
Our promise to you
- On-platform messaging keeps a record of every conversation.
- Repeat offenders lose access after moderation review.
- Report button on every listing, user profile, and message.
- Fair Housing compliance is required for every listing — discriminatory language is automatically flagged and blocked before publishing.
Never do these things
- Never wire money or pay with gift cards.
- Never sign a lease without viewing the property in person or by live video.
- Never share your Social Security number, bank routing number, or government ID photos via the chat.
- Never pay a deposit before a lease is signed and verified.
Quick safety checklist
- Tour before you commit — in person or live video call.
- Sign a written lease before any money changes hands. Use our lease generator or the landlord’s own document; either way, get it in writing.
- Pay rent through a traceable, recoverable channel after the lease is signed (e.g. bank ACH, Zelle to a verified account, certified check). Never wire money or send gift cards.
- Keep important conversations in our messaging system so the moderation team has a record if you need to report.
- Report anything suspicious immediately.
Security incidents: security@furnishedunfurnished.com. General safety questions: support@furnishedunfurnished.com.